Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete that was born on July 28, 1958 and lost his right leg to cancer. After seeing the lack of funding towards cancer research, Fox started the Marathon of Hope, a journey across Canada from East to West to raise money for cancer research. Unfortunately, he was forced to end his marathon in Thunder Bay, Ontario, due to the cancer spreading to his lungs. Terry Fox and the Marathon of Hope was a defining moment in Canadian history because he was able to raise money for cancer research while also inspiring many people throughout Canada. The Marathon of Hope allowed Fox to not only raise money, but also awareness for the cause. Also, his determination and courage helped him inspire others, while also leaving a lasting legacy to inspire Canadians for years to come. …show more content…
While in the hospital, he saw how the other patients were suffering, many of them being very young. After doing his own research, Fox concluded that there was very little money being put towards cancer research and decided to begin the Marathon of Hope to raise money (1). Canadians quickly began hearing about Fox and his run across Canada from the media, which increased the amount of awareness about the need for more cancer research and new treatments. By the time Fox entered Ontario, the whole country was cheering for him and donating to cancer research (2).
Although Terry Fox lost his leg to cancer, he did not let that stop him from achieving his goal. Fox wanted to raise one dollar from every Canadian during his marathon. His resilience mixed with his determination allowed him to achieve this goal before passing away (3). By deciding to start the Marathon of Hope, Fox showed Canadians how important it is to try to make a difference, as well as showing his dedication to making a difference and raising money for cancer